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This review may contain spoilers
The first Taiwanese lesbian series brought to you by the director of the HIStory series
❛Dear Uranus❜ has been produced and scripted by a Taiwanese lesbian couple, ‘Rabbit and Wolf’ and directed by Mi Chieh Tsai who has previously directed HIStory: Stay Away From Me, HIStory2: Crossing the Line and HIStory3: Make Our Days Count (need I elaborate more on how much I love this director).
═ ∘♡༉∘ ════════Spoiler studded review✏
Being a mini series with a total runtime of approximately 30 minutes, ‘Dear Uranus’ doesn't cover much ground but that doesn't imply that it isn't enjoyable. The story is relatively simple. We meet our first two protagonists when Zhang Ruo Ning saves Wang Yi Qing from a popular school student (this bratty student is actually played by Huang Ring Ye aka Rabbit, the show’s producer ;)
It becomes obvious that Yi Qing has a huge crush on Ruo Ning (who wouldn't, have you SEEN her tattoos?). The third protagonist is Lin Jing Chen. She constantly has flashbacks of her ex-girlfriend when she's around Ruo Ning and slowly she too becomes infatuated with Ruo Ning.
Meanwhile Jing Chen’s best friend, Lin Man, looks on in sadness as her friend falls for another girl while being oblivious to her feelings. (Lin Man is Xue Yi Jie aka Wolf, the show’s scriptwriter).
The drama ends on an open ending which made me feel like I was reading ‘My Lady's Choosing’. Ruo Ning asks the audience who she should choose, the cutesy Yi Qing who is infatuated with her or the charismatic Jing Chen who makes bold advances on her (their kisses have already been giffed of course).
Despite the short duration, Dear Uranus covers a lot of topics.
1. Ruo Ning is a taekwondo athlete who is obviously under some pressure from her parents to become an athlete which is not her dream.
2. The most interesting storyline was probably that of Jing Chen and her ex-girlfriend. Jing Chen keeps having flashbacks of her ex-girlfriend who seems to have been cheating on her. Jing Chen’s sadness is palpable (thanks to the marvellous actor) and it seems there's much more to the storyline than has been revealed.
3. When Ruo Ning turns down Jing Chen’s advances, telling her to take permission before kissing someone, it conveys the importance of consent. Even seemingly ‘minor’ actions like kissing should require consent.
4. Lin Man's affections for Jing Chen are so obvious and it was so painful seeing how she looked on as Jing Chen flirted with Ruo Ning. Yet she's a supportive friend who doesn't hesitate to assist Jing Chen in her plans.
Second season?
There have been so many unexplained threads and so much unresolved conflict in the drama (especially with that ending), it seems that we may be blessed my a second season soon (or it may be because the director is actually be at doing endings. See History3: MODC to understand what I mean. I said what I said).
Personally I'm all for team Jing Chen and Ruo Ning. I would love to see Jing Chen's character development as she gets over her ex and finds solace in the present.
Ruo Ning’s affection for Yi Qing always seemed a bit 'sisterly' to me (although it's obvious that Yi Qing is looked for anything platonic). Everytime she thumps Yi Qing’s forehead I just die that much more on the inside. Ruo Ning also saves Yi Qing quite a few times but I found a lack of tension, the kind of tension which stems from 'liking someone'. For example when the woke up together in Ep.3, Ruo Ning didn't even wait to study Yi Qing’s face or jawline or whatever, just poked her to get ready for school.
Jing Chen might have misplaced feelings now but it would be a much more exciting premise to see her and Ruo Ning. But I'm pretty sure that's not what we're getting set up for. I foresee Jing Chen and Lin Man getting together (my second favorite ship here) and Ruo Ning with Yi Qing.
Nevertheless I'm pumped up for this currently non-existent season 2.
As far as the characters are concerned, I loved Jing Chen's complexity (yes I am obsessed with Jing Chen). I felt bad for Lin Man but I could relate to her on so many levels.
Unpopular opinion, I disliked Ruo Ning and Yi Qing. Yi Qing needs a lot of character development, as in A LOT. Everyone treats her like a doormat and I disliked how she was set up as a damsel who needs saving. So her sudden confession to Ruo Ning felt a bit out of character. Her 'cuteness' seemed really over-the-top and forced (the actress did a good job though).
As for Ruo Ning, I know it's pretty easy in the game but she has to let go of one girl. She isn't oblivious to Yi Qing's feelings but she's also full-blown flirting with Jing Chen. Yes Jing Chen did move in to kiss her but it's not like she was forcing Ruo Ning. Just abandoning someone like that, someone you've been flirting with for the last two hours, right after they've gifted you a black rose...not cool.
Does this have a haphazard story? Yes. Occasionally bad lighting? Yes. Weird filters? Sometimes, yes. Should you watch it? Yes. Watch it for Ruo Ning's tattoo, Jing Chen's killer smile, Lin Man's taekwondo moves and the blessed lgbt visibility.
═ ∘♡༉∘ ════════Spoiler studded review✏
Being a mini series with a total runtime of approximately 30 minutes, ‘Dear Uranus’ doesn't cover much ground but that doesn't imply that it isn't enjoyable. The story is relatively simple. We meet our first two protagonists when Zhang Ruo Ning saves Wang Yi Qing from a popular school student (this bratty student is actually played by Huang Ring Ye aka Rabbit, the show’s producer ;)
It becomes obvious that Yi Qing has a huge crush on Ruo Ning (who wouldn't, have you SEEN her tattoos?). The third protagonist is Lin Jing Chen. She constantly has flashbacks of her ex-girlfriend when she's around Ruo Ning and slowly she too becomes infatuated with Ruo Ning.
Meanwhile Jing Chen’s best friend, Lin Man, looks on in sadness as her friend falls for another girl while being oblivious to her feelings. (Lin Man is Xue Yi Jie aka Wolf, the show’s scriptwriter).
The drama ends on an open ending which made me feel like I was reading ‘My Lady's Choosing’. Ruo Ning asks the audience who she should choose, the cutesy Yi Qing who is infatuated with her or the charismatic Jing Chen who makes bold advances on her (their kisses have already been giffed of course).
Despite the short duration, Dear Uranus covers a lot of topics.
1. Ruo Ning is a taekwondo athlete who is obviously under some pressure from her parents to become an athlete which is not her dream.
2. The most interesting storyline was probably that of Jing Chen and her ex-girlfriend. Jing Chen keeps having flashbacks of her ex-girlfriend who seems to have been cheating on her. Jing Chen’s sadness is palpable (thanks to the marvellous actor) and it seems there's much more to the storyline than has been revealed.
3. When Ruo Ning turns down Jing Chen’s advances, telling her to take permission before kissing someone, it conveys the importance of consent. Even seemingly ‘minor’ actions like kissing should require consent.
4. Lin Man's affections for Jing Chen are so obvious and it was so painful seeing how she looked on as Jing Chen flirted with Ruo Ning. Yet she's a supportive friend who doesn't hesitate to assist Jing Chen in her plans.
Second season?
There have been so many unexplained threads and so much unresolved conflict in the drama (especially with that ending), it seems that we may be blessed my a second season soon (or it may be because the director is actually be at doing endings. See History3: MODC to understand what I mean. I said what I said).
Personally I'm all for team Jing Chen and Ruo Ning. I would love to see Jing Chen's character development as she gets over her ex and finds solace in the present.
Ruo Ning’s affection for Yi Qing always seemed a bit 'sisterly' to me (although it's obvious that Yi Qing is looked for anything platonic). Everytime she thumps Yi Qing’s forehead I just die that much more on the inside. Ruo Ning also saves Yi Qing quite a few times but I found a lack of tension, the kind of tension which stems from 'liking someone'. For example when the woke up together in Ep.3, Ruo Ning didn't even wait to study Yi Qing’s face or jawline or whatever, just poked her to get ready for school.
Jing Chen might have misplaced feelings now but it would be a much more exciting premise to see her and Ruo Ning. But I'm pretty sure that's not what we're getting set up for. I foresee Jing Chen and Lin Man getting together (my second favorite ship here) and Ruo Ning with Yi Qing.
Nevertheless I'm pumped up for this currently non-existent season 2.
As far as the characters are concerned, I loved Jing Chen's complexity (yes I am obsessed with Jing Chen). I felt bad for Lin Man but I could relate to her on so many levels.
Unpopular opinion, I disliked Ruo Ning and Yi Qing. Yi Qing needs a lot of character development, as in A LOT. Everyone treats her like a doormat and I disliked how she was set up as a damsel who needs saving. So her sudden confession to Ruo Ning felt a bit out of character. Her 'cuteness' seemed really over-the-top and forced (the actress did a good job though).
As for Ruo Ning, I know it's pretty easy in the game but she has to let go of one girl. She isn't oblivious to Yi Qing's feelings but she's also full-blown flirting with Jing Chen. Yes Jing Chen did move in to kiss her but it's not like she was forcing Ruo Ning. Just abandoning someone like that, someone you've been flirting with for the last two hours, right after they've gifted you a black rose...not cool.
Does this have a haphazard story? Yes. Occasionally bad lighting? Yes. Weird filters? Sometimes, yes. Should you watch it? Yes. Watch it for Ruo Ning's tattoo, Jing Chen's killer smile, Lin Man's taekwondo moves and the blessed lgbt visibility.
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